Man, 71, accused of fatally shooting teen in Phoenix, lying to police

PHOENIX – A man in his 70s is accused of shooting and killing a teenager in west Phoenix and then lying to police about it, authorities said Tuesday.

While responding to a shooting call near 68th Avenue and Garfield Street around 3:15 p.m. Monday, officers found 19-year-old Xavier Henriquez with a gunshot wound, according to a Phoenix Police Department press release.

Henriquez died after being taken to a hospital in extremely critical condition, police said.

Manuel De La Cruz-Rodriguez, 71, told officers he saw two people on bicycles ride up to Henriquez before he heard the gunfire, police said.

However, investigators found evidence connecting De La Cruz-Rodriguez to the crime, police said.

He was arrested and booked into Maricopa County Jail on a charge of second-degree murder, police said.

The investigation is ongoing.

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